At Fillmore East During this time, the group began struggling with drug addictions. Everyone in the group, with the exception of the brothers, was also struggling to make a living (vocalist Gregg Allman received more money from royalty payments and Duane more from session work). In one incident, tour manager Twiggs Lyndon stabbed and killed a promoter for not paying the band; he later claimed temporary insanity. Their fortunes began to change over the course of 1971, where the band's average earnings doubled. The Allman Brothers Band had first played Fillmore East in December 1969, opening for Blood, Sweat & Tears for three
At Fillmore East led to what I suppose are inevitable comparisons to the Dead in its better days." In a less enthusiastic review for "The Village Voice", Robert Christgau gave "At Fillmore East" a "B–" grade and said the songs "sure do boogie", but ultimately found it musically aimless: "even if Duane Allman plus Dickey Betts does equal Jerry Garcia, the Dead know roads are for getting somewhere. That is, Garcia (not to bring in John Coltrane) always takes you someplace unexpected on a long solo. I guess the appeal here is the inevitability of it all." In a retrospective review, AllMusic editor