By REUTERS
Published: March 5, 2009
Filed at 1:30 p.m. ET

LONDON (Reuters) - Michael Jackson told the world's press and hundreds of screaming fans on Thursday that he would perform a "final curtain call" in London later this year.

Wearing a military-style black jacket decorated with silver sequins, the 50-year-old made his announcement at the 20,000-capacity O2 Arena where he will play 10 dates starting on July 8.

"Thank you all...this is it," Jackson said.

"These will be my final shows ... performances in London. When I say this is it, I mean this is it. I'll be performing the songs my fans want to hear. This is it, this is really it, this is the final curtain call."

Jackson, still viewed as "The King of Pop" by his fans, has lived the life of a virtual recluse since his acquittal of child abuse charges at a 2005 trial.

Jackson's last album of new material was "Invincible," released in 2001, and his position as one of pop music's biggest acts has been increasingly overshadowed by bizarre behavior, a changing appearance and questions over his health.

Hundreds of fans gathered to catch a glimpse of their idol.

"Of course it's worth it," said Shuhena Begum, who traveled from the central English city of Birmingham to see Jackson. "My whole family is mad about Michael -- he's the greatest," the 21-year-old added.

She said much of the negative press about Jackson in recent years was unjustified.

"People are out there trying to look like Barbie dolls and yet no one says anything about them, but whenever it's Michael it's different."

SKEPTICISM

Even before a single concert has been confirmed, there is widespread skepticism that Jackson is capable of playing a potentially lengthy series of gigs.

British bookmaker William Hill has already offered odds that Jackson would not turn up for a run of concerts.

Jackson is one of the biggest musical acts of all time, with an estimated 750 million albums sold. "Thriller," released in 1982, is the best selling album ever.

If he can pull it off, the string of concerts at a single venue would be both lucrative and less demanding than a full-fledged tour.

But if the comeback fails to materialize, or is regarded as a flop, Jackson would find it harder than ever to resurrect a career that has lain lifeless for so long.

Jackson performed in London at the World Music Awards in 2006, but the much-hyped return was described by critics as a shambles after he sang, in a broken voice, just a few lines of his charity single "We Are The World."

Fellow performer Prince gave his profile a major boost with a successful 21-night stay at the O2 in 2007 which amassed a reported $22 million, and Britney Spears is due top appear there in June.

Jackson began his musical career with his siblings in the Motown group the Jackson 5 and went on release a string of hit solo albums.

A Bigger Dud?.......Jacko was last seen in Walmart..He'd heard boys underwear were half off

i think these will be good shows.  i am not much of a fan but he does have a few catchy songs and back in his hay day he was heck of a dancer.  so, i say, go michael. 

Michael Jackson is the man. If he comes to Florida I'll go in a second. He always put on amazing shows in the past. If you haven't seen it, I strongly recommend picking up the MJ live in Bucharest 1992 DVD. It rocks so hard.

left shoe shuffle wrote on Mar 9^th, 2009 at 5:44pm:



LOL yeah! My friends and I figured out the exact spot where the stunt double came in. You've seen the whole show? It's rocking, isn't? A bit too polished and some lip syncing here and there, but, hey, it's a pop show.

As for Jacko, he really needs the money. Paying off those parents costs more than he ever imagined, even the illegal immigrant ones.

Quote:


i know.  i would rather brag about the 15 night stand the allmond bros are kicking off at the beacon theather in a couple hrs time, but i guess i had to say something about the gloved one first.

owwwwww

left shoe shuffle wrote on Mar 9^th, 2009 at 6:13pm:



haha. Why thank you!

Quote:


wow

no i am not going, but please report back how it was and if you video clip them during blue sky...if they do blue sky that night. 

Holden -
Didja get your 02 tickets?

30 shows.

Maybe a few might actually happen...

left shoe shuffle wrote on Mar 11^th, 2009 at 6:38pm:



nah I can't afford to fly across the world fro a concert. I'll be happy enough catching a show live on TV.

Mr. Sex Drugs Rock n Roll wrote on Mar 14^th, 2009 at 4:23pm:



I guess the more factually accurate question of "whats white and found in a baby's diaper" doesn't work quite as well!

Nowadays he's scarier than he ever was in "thriller".