GUNS N’ ROSES The struggle for ‘Democracy’

This timeline illustrates the 14-year ordeal that will culminate in Sunday’s release of ‘Chinese Democracy.

1994: After the tour supporting “The Spaghetti Incident,” Guns N’ Roses begins work on the follow-up to its 1991 studio albums “Use Your Illusion I & II.” Rose fires guitarist Gilby Clarke.

1996: Slash leaves the band after Rose rejects his songs and starts putting more faith in new guitarist Paul Huge.

1997: Bassist Duff McKagan quits, replaced eventually by Tommy Stinson, formerly of The Replacements.

1998: Drummer Matt Sorum is fired, replaced by Robin Finck, formerly of Nine Inch Nails; Youth becomes album producer.

1999: Guns N’ Roses releases “Oh My God” on the soundtrack to the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie “End of Days.” It was slated to be the first single from “Chinese Democracy,” which was expected to be released in early 2000.

2000: Rose hires Buckethead, so named for wearing a KFC bucket on his head, as guitarist.

August 2002: Rose makes surprise appearance at MTV Video Music Awards, setting stage for first “Chinese Democracy” tour.

December 2002: Halfway through the “Chinese Democracy” tour, Rose fails to show up for a Philadelphia show and remaining dates get scrapped.

2004: Geffen stops funding the album, after an estimated $11 million; Buckethead leaves the band, eventually replaced by Bumblefoot.

May 2006: Rose calls into Eddie Trunk’s radio show to say: “It will be out this year.”

December 2006: Rose releases a statement, announcing a tentative release date of March 2007, adding, “To say the making of this album has been an unbearably long and incomprehensible journey would be an understatement.”

June 2006: After a show in Stockholm, Rose scuffles with a security guard and bites him on the leg and is taken to jail.

March 2007: Release date? Um, no.

March 2008: Dr Pepper offers free soda to every American, except Buckethead, if CD is released. The company is making good, too: to get a coupon, go to drpepper.com.

Nov. 23, 2008: “Chinese Democracy” is scheduled to be released at Best Buy stores.