Editing Lee Morgan (section)

== Personal Struggles ==

Heroin addiction, which afflicted many jazz musicians of Morgan's generation, derailed his career in the late 1960s. His playing deteriorated, his reliability suffered, and his position in jazz declined from leader to sideman working intermittently. The personal demons that addiction represented were common in jazz circles, where the pressures of the life and the prevalence of drugs created hazards that destroyed many careers. Morgan's Philadelphia connections provided some support during this difficult period, as friends and family attempted to help him recover.<ref name="thomas"/>

Morgan achieved sobriety in the early 1970s, returning to performing with renewed energy and maturity. His playing during this period showed new depth, the experience of struggle and recovery adding emotional weight to performances that had always been technically accomplished. He formed a new band, began recording again, and seemed poised for a significant comeback that would build on his earlier achievements while incorporating the growth that personal struggle had prompted.<ref name="mcmillan"/>