Jak, yes I remember that drummer too, Graham Lear. he drummed for Gino Vanelli before getting the Santana gig.
I had a couple Vanelli lp’s in high school and remember he was on one of them then heard he went on to play with Santana.
as for Gato…I related a bit to him in the 70’s because he had that growly tone, but he never let off of it. not a big influence tho.