"The Liquidator" was a popular reggae instrumental in the United Kingdom, recorded by the Harry J Allstars in 1969.
Musicians included the core of the Hippy Boys: bassist 'Family Man' Aston Barrett, drummer Carlton Barrett and guitarist Alva Lewis. They later formed the core of The Upsetters and The Wailers. Carlton Barrett says the instrumental was originally for a song by Tony Scott, "What Am I to Do". Harry Johnson bought the rights from Scott, licensed the track to Trojan and credited it to the Harry J Allstars. A variation was recorded featuring the sax of Val Bennett (entitled 'Tons of Gold') but the Hippy Boys' original instrumental had most success.[1]
The organ was played by Winston Wright who, as a member of Tommy McCook's Supersonics, was acknowledged as Jamaica's master of the Hammond organ. Wright featured on other Harry Johnson hits, including The Beltones' "No More Heartaches" and on Boris Gardiner's "Elizabethan Reggae".[2]
The Staple Singers used the bass line and introduction from "The Liquidator" for their 1972 hit, "I'll Take You There".
Alton Ellis said the core of the song was a lift from his rocksteady hit 'Girl I've Got a Date' [3]
The tune is played before football matches in the United Kingdom. West Bromwich Albion, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Chelsea, Wycombe Wanderers, Northampton Town and St. Johnstone claim to have been first to play it. Chelsea's claims to be first to play it are backed by the first paragraph of the liner notes for "Liquidator - The Best of the Harry J All Stars". It says: "Way back in 1969, supporters of the Chelsea football team revered players such as Bonetti, Osgood and Hollins. The boys performed under the watchful eye of manager Dave Sexton to the tune of Harry J & All Stars chartbuster, 'The Liquidator'.
The Liquidators were one of Chelsea's smaller football firms. The tune is also known among supporters of West Bromwich Albion. West Midlands Police and safety committees made the club drop the tune because supporters chanted obscenities at their rivals. It is also played before the start of the second half at Huish Park for Yeovil games.
West Bromwich Albion and Wolves briefly re-introduced the track during the 2005-2006 season, encouraging fans to clap instead of swearing. The request was ignored and the tune was again removed, before reappearing at the 2006-2007 championship playoff, during which West Bromwich Albion beat Wolves.