QUICK TAKES - March 6, 2009

Michael Jackson returned to the stage Thursday after eight years marked by more scandal than music-making and told a crowd of screaming fans that he would play a series of London concerts before retiring from public performance.

Wearing his trademark sunglasses and a silver-embroidered black military-style jacket, he said the series of shows in July will be his “final curtain call.”

Jackson appeared at the O2 Arena -- where the concerts will be staged -- to announce the gigs.