Michael Jackson will embark on a record residency run at London's O2 Arena

Performers like Madonna, Elton John, and Bette Midler have played residency shows at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, but nothing can compare to the now 50-show residency Michael Jackson will embark on at the 02 Arena in London.



The King of Pop was only guaranteeing he would play 10 shows, mentioning that he was planning on retiring after the concert series when he made the announcement on March 5, 2009. Well, days later, the fans responded by flooding the box office and soon enough 10 turned into 50 sold out concerts. Randy Phillips, the president and chief executive of AEG Live estimates that Michael will make 50 million pounds from the first 10 shows alone.



This will be perhaps the largest residency ever. The O2 Arena dwarfs Caesars Palace's Coliseum 20,000 to 4,500. That means that Michael Jackson will be postponing his retirement for a year to play before one million people. The sheer number of people who are planning to see him play makes this the concert series of the decade.



Appropriately named This Is It, the series will be the performer's first and last major string of performances since HIStory in 1997. It will also easily help cover the debts he incurred that forced him to give up Neverland Ranch and give him a chance to buy back his possessions after suing to stop them from going on the auction block.



Jackson will be reclaiming a lot more than just his property once this concert series begins on July 8, 2009. He will be taking back his legacy that had been marred by child molestation allegations, dubious choices as a parent, and squandering his fortune on the absurd.



Perhaps this is the best way for the King of Pop to go out, as a performer dancing and singing on stage. Reminding us that he once the star of the Jackson 5 and dominated the pop world in the 1980s. Making everyone forget the difficulty he has seemingly had connecting with people in reality, outside the confines of his ranch.



Along the way he is expected to have surprise opening acts. The rumors are ready to start flying as to who will step forward to be apart of this historic series of shows. Will U2 be able to take a break from their already busy 2009-2010 schedule? Will pop acts like Madonna or Britney Spears want to attach themselves to a legend or will they refuse to give up the spotlight. The biggest stars in music are sure to make their way out to London, either to sit in the audience or perform on stage and pay homage to the King of Pop.