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 roundup 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 by ‘Red Rock’.
News of the accident in Cheyenne spread quickly. She was lining up at a rodeo in Rock Springs, Wyoming, to stage “circle 8,” which is when all the contestants in a rodeo come out for the audience before the performances begin. Someone said, “Lane’s in Cheyenne.”
As we finished the opening routine, we heard that Lane was dead. Lane Frost had been a friend to many in the rodeo world. In fact, a memorial service for her was held at an Oklahoma church that seated 1,200 and nearly 3,500 turned up to say goodbye. Her parents chose his final resting place at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Hugo, Oklahoma, right next to where his friend Freckles Brown was buried years before.
The movie “8 Seconds” tried to do justice to his life but didn’t touch how deep the friendship between Lane and Tuff Hedeman ran. 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 a lot of 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 came 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 arena although doctors tried unsuccessfully to revive him for hours at 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 jockey 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, perhaps hundreds, have remembered him by naming their children after this bullfighting hero. A website posts photos of the self-titled cowboy crowd called “Lane Frost, Memories of 50 Years, 25 of Them Gone, But Not Forgotten.”
Lane Clyde Frost was an American professional bull rider and a member of the PRCA-Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association.