Soulful Liverpool rock combo the Zutons were busy recording their third album in Los Angeles with producer George Drakoulias, when they were treated to a visit from a special guest: Ringo Starr. The former Beatle and fellow Liverpool native stopped by the L.A. studio where the band are laying down new tracks last week.

"Last Friday, we had a visitor to the studio," saxophonist Abi Harding posted on the band's MySpace page. "I was sitting outside when my jaw dropped 'cos Ringo had just pulled up in front of me."

The pint-sized wind musician admitted she personally was overcome with emotion at seeing the legend in the flesh. "I was proper shocked and ran over to him and gave him a big hug," she blogged. "He came in and talked to us a bit and had a listen to a couple of songs that he seemed to like. He said he liked the way I played sax so I was made up all day. It was boss to meet him."

The visit wasn't the only time the Zutons have seen Ringo in Los Angeles, however. The band stopped by several weeks ago when Starr performed a brief three-song midday set at the city's House of Blues to kick off his 'Liverpool 8' album.

As for their recording sessions, the band -- frontman David McCabe, Harding, drummer Sean Payne and bassist Russell Pritchard -- have been joined in the studio by a new member. Fellow Liverpudlian Paul Molloy recently became part of the band, after previously playing with one time indie darlings the Stands and, before that, his own classic-rock-influenced combo the Skylarks.