Bowie bonds rock secure: rock star David Bowie, the "Thin White Duke," was among the first to realize that old singers face, at best, the drip-drip-drip of royalties, when they want it all, and they want it all right now. He used securitization to get his hands on some of his money, writes alternative risk columnist Roger Crombie.(Special report: alternative risk) From: Risk & Insurance | Date: March 1, 2004| Author: Crombie, Roger | COPYRIGHT 2004 Axon Group. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

A party game runs something like this: To play at your wedding, you want the Rolling Stones. They offer Earth, Wind & Fire. You settle for a Glenn Campbell sound-alike.

The game works in insurance terms, too. You want full coverage at a reasonable price. They offer a 100 percent deductible. You settle on co-insurance with a 20 percent deductible. It's not as funny in insurance terms, but then nothing is.

Insurance is a gamble, a jump into the unknowable. No am...