In the summer of 1989, I was interviewed at a rodeo in Redding, California, along with a cowboy from Oklahoma and a bull named ‘Red Rock.’ That would be one of his last interviews; he died at his next rodeo in Cheyenne, Wyoming on July 30. His name was Lane Frost.
Later, a movie was made about his life and rodeo career called ‘8 Seconds.’ In it, Luke Perry played the young jock and there was even an appearance from ‘Red Rock’.
News of the accident in Cheyenne spread quickly. She was in line at a rodeo in Rock Springs, Wyoming, to ride the “circle 8,” which is when all the rodeo participants come out for the audience before performances begin. Someone said, “Lane’s in Cheyenne.”
As we finished the opening routine, we heard that Lane was dead. Lane Frost had been friends with many in the rodeo world. In fact, her memorial service was held at an Oklahoma church that had a capacity of 1,200 and about 3,500 showed up to say goodbye. Her parents chose their final resting place at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Hugo, Oklahoma, right next to where his friend Freckles Brown was buried years earlier.
The movie “8 Seconds” tried to do her life justice but didn’t touch on the depth of the friendship between Lane and Tuff Hedeman. I was with Tuff shortly after Lane’s death at another rodeo in Fort Madison, Iowa. He showed up, ready to ride and do the press tour. Tuff and I were auctioned off at a charity event. We both had to dance with someone who had made an offer for us.
On that fateful day in Cheyenne, after much rain, Lane rode a bull named ‘Takin’ Care of Business’. Cowboys had their own name for it. They labeled the animal “bad to the bone.” Lane went out and did well, scoring 85 points and winning close to $10,000 in prize money. After the ride, Lane dismounted. It was then that the bull turned and charged him. His horn broke ribs, severed a blood vessel and pierced his heart.
He died in the sand although doctors tried unsuccessfully to revive him for hours in the hospital. Tuff was finally allowed to see his recently deceased friend after what “seemed like forever” in the waiting room. Three days later, he served as one of her pallbearers.
Today, there is a statue of the young horseman in the Cheyenne arena, where he lost his life doing what he loved to do. The cemetery where he is buried has constant visitors. Many in the rodeo world and beyond were affected by the death of this young man.
Dozens, maybe hundreds, have remembered him by naming their children after this bullfighting hero. A website posts photos of the eponymous cowboy crowd called ‘Lane Frost, Memories of 50 Years, 25 of Them Missing, But Not Forgotten’.
Lane Clyde Frost was an American professional bull rider and member of the PRCA-Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association.
