Michael studied with me when I lived in San Francisco* in the late 60’s. Not sure when he joined the Santana band but it was during that period: the 1st album (“Santana”) and the now famous Woodstock NY concert had not happened as yet. Micheal was a hell of a student; he always worked on everything 100% from the lesson before . Michael is unique in the rock/funk/blues world of drummers because he also plays latin and jazz. The perfect combination for the Carlos Santana band.
*I had graduated from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and was playing with George Duke (who also graduated from the same school two years later)