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The T-birds' logo.

The T-Birds are a group of teen boys who attend Rydell High School and rebel against social expectations, purposefully breaking the rules. They notoriously date the Pink Ladies.

Film Series[]

Grease[]

In the first film, they consist of Danny Zuko, Kenickie, Doody, Sonny, and Putzie. They sport pomade in their duck-tailed hair, jeans, T-shirts, and either boots or high-top sneakers. Throughout the movie, they can be seen sporting their black leather jackets with their T-Birds insignia on the back.

Grease 2[]

In the sequel, they consist of Johnny Nogerelli, Louis DiMucci, Goose McKenzie, Davey Jaworski, and later Michael Carrington.

Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies[]

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In "We're Gonna Rule the School", the T-Birds are led by the sharp-witted and grease-slicken best friends Richie Valdovinos and Gil Rizzo. The gang rolled up at the drive-in where they joined the student body in "Grease is the Word". They then planned to pick up girls, and agreed that whoever got the first girl would get the famed T-Bird car. Cynthia Zdunowski thought they should get drunk on the liquor she brought for them, but they shut her down. Susan approached Richie, so Gil dropped the keys into his expecting hand. Once alone, Shy Guy offered his jacket to a cold Cynthia, who mistook his gesture as his approval of her joining the all-boys gang. He stammered then admitted that maybe the other guy's would go for her joining.

The T-Birds walked to school together the next day with Olivia and Cynthia. The T-Birds burst through the corridor and peeped up Jane Facciano's skirt as she hung a pep rally banner. Gil and Potato remarked that under her skirt was NYC's biggest tourist attraction. She grabbed hold of Richie to ask him what people said about her and learned the extent of the salacious rumors.

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T-Birds versus the Socs

The T-Birds hung out together at the bleachers, though Richie was accosted by Susan and coldly turned her down. This sparked her to run to the Socs to claim Richie stalked her. Richie, the T-Birds, Olivia, and Cynthia stalked over as Richie argued that Susan flipped the roles. Neil didn't believe Susan would associate with low-life dirty greasers or “their whore sisters”, which provoked Richie to attack Neil. Jane intervened before it could escalate and told everyone what she saw. She reasoned with Susan that someone could get hurt. Susan admitted that she exaggerated a little. The Rangers mocked the T-Birds as the groups dispersed.

In a garage, the T-Birds plotted revenge against the Rangers for the disrespect at the football field. Cynthia announced she wanted to be a T-Bird, but they laughed at her. She gave her case and offered an initiation; she would get them revenge. She led them in a performance of “New Cool”. After it ended, Cynthia explained to Gil that they would interrupt the pep rally that night. If they pull it off, she would get her own T-Birds jacket. Richie agreed and joked that if they pulled it off, he'll give her his.

The pep rally began that night, though the T-Birds were nearly upstaged when Susan humiliated Jane with a banner that changed from “THIS YEAR, RYDELL GOES ALL THE WAY” to "JANE FACCIANO GOES ALL THE WAY". The gang continued with their prank anyway. They stood in front of the band and mooned the audience. Unfortunately, Cynthia's mascot's head fell off, which exposed her identity. She made a distraction while the T-Birds fled the scene.

The student body headed to Frosty Palace afterward, and the Rydell Review asked the T-Birds for a comment about their actions that night. They played it coy until Cynthia arrived having escaped McGee and taken the fall for them. They thanked her and she eagerly asked about her jacket. Gil and Richie explained that the T-Birds just got their respect back and couldn't let a girl in now. Shy Guy insisted they wanted her to pal around with them still, but Cynthia pretended it was fine.

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The gang attended the student council candidacy assembly that night where Jane decided to run for student council president with the support of Olivia, Cynthia, and Nancy. The girls mooned the audience which thrilled Gil, Potato, and Shy Guy, while Richie tried to deter them from looking at his sister. The girls gave parting words as they fled the stage with everyone in pursuit. Cynthia snagged the keys to the T-Birds car from under the rim and tossed them to Olivia, who drove them away. Gil protested over his stolen car while Richie chuckled as he taught her that.

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In "Too Pure to Be Pink", the T-Birds sarcastically knelt to a hall monitor, then blocked the girls from passing through. Gil demanded which one of them would pay for a new paint job for his car. They laughed him off but he insisted until Olivia said she'd pay for it, and he told her that he'd get it. Shy Guy complimented Cynthia for her headline while Potato mocked the girl gang. Everyone dispersed except Richie and Jane. He acknowledged that what she said took guts - and it wasn't a bad show, either. Gil laughed then led Potato and Shy Guy down the hall to knock books out of people's hands and run from hall monitors.

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Jane practiced her speech in front of her detention mates - the T-Birds. Gil called it shrill, Shy Guy thought she sounded jealous, and Potato wasn't paying attention. Richie liked it but he didn't vote. She sat down with Olivia, Cynthia, and Nancy to discuss new jacket and name ideas. Cynthia drew a line at pink so the girls redirected to find a way to expose Buddy. Miss McGee entered and reprimanded the girls for their behavior but didn't bother with the boys. Cynthia faked severe stomach pain so the others could get out. Richie helped Jane break into Buddy's locker.

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That night, the Socs party was crashed by the T-Birds and the four girls. Dot allowed them to stay and gave the house rules to everyone. Gil called the house fat, but Potato thought it looked smart. Dot's father was the colonel from Colonel Candy, which made her the candy princess. The party drudged on until Neil called for everyone to gather to spin the bottle. Cynthia took control of the game as the game master. Jane spun and it landed on both Buddy and Richie, so Cynthia ruled Chef's choice. She picked Buddy for seven minutes in heaven, which angered Susan and disappointed Richie, but Cynthia allowed it. Gil spun the bottle and landed on Olivia, but Cynthia pantsed him before they could kiss. He lashed out at her for not acting like a normal girl. She stormed out and Richie decided it was time to split. He gathered the T-Birds and asked Olivia if she wanted a ride, but she waited for Jane instead.

The next morning at school, the hall doors opened, followed by shocked murmurs from the student body. Jane, Olivia, Nancy, and Cynthia strutted down the hall in their pink jackets. Cynthia snubbed the T-Birds, Olivia didn't glance at Mr. Daniels, Jane smirked at Buddy, and Nancy pushed a smiling Richie out of the way. He combed back his hair and watched the girls strut down the hall, their new name visible on the backs - The Pink Ladies.

In "So This Is Rydell?", the T-Birds, minus Shy Guy, and Pink Ladies picked Jane up from her house to take her to school. Olivia showed Jane the “Vote Pink” pins that she made and kissed with her lipstick. Gil wanted one for personal use, which earned a shove from Olivia and a shout from Richie. Jane asked her to be a campaign manager and Olivia agreed.

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After school, the T-Birds and Pink Ladies went to the Frosty Palace where they talked about the dance, though none of them would typically go. Jane asked Richie if anything would make him go, and he said better tunes. She ran to the radio and offered to throw another dance that even Richie Valdovinos would go to.

Jane lost her debate against Buddy but was inspired to ask for an unofficial rematch at Frosty Palace. The T-Birds and Pink Ladies backed her as she asked Buddy, and he agreed. They sang their debate in “Take The Wheel” until Buddy fell off a counter and broke his arm. Jane rushed to his side until Susan pushed her away, and Olivia pulled her to the door. Jane offered Hazel a ride, but the girl refused. The T-Birds and Pink Ladies hurried out of the Frosty Palace.

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In If You Can't Be an Athlete, Be an Athletic Supporter", the Pink Ladies war against the administration of Rydell High School resulted in McGee's ban of all jackets, which meant the T-Birds had to oblige by a dress code. They all wore long button-up shirts, dress pants, and shoes. They even ditched their slick hair. During the football game, Miss. McGee took the students' jackets, flasks, bullhorns, and whistles. She collected the jackets in a bin. The T-Birds hopped a wall to get into the game in their jackets, jeans, and t-shirts. They joined the bleachers and cheered on the team until they started to lose. At which point, they began to drink from a flask, boo at their mascot Rowdy, and throw food at the mascot.

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The Pink Ladies were tired of the blame and made a scene at the track to get everyone's attention. Olivia was tired of how the administration pitted them against each other, and took a megaphone to rile up the student body in “Pointing Fingers”. The T-Birds and band joined in first, slowly followed by the rest of the students. Gil stole the basket full of jackets and dispersed the jackets out to everyone. They ended their number with a march to Vice Principal McGee and Principal Nicholson and ended with a flip of their middle fingers.

That night, the gang hung around outside the Frosty Palace on their car. They saw the Pink Ladies arrived and Richie hurried over to Jane. They both apologized for the day while their friends laughed. A glare from each set them in their places. He liked that she was a dog with a bone, and thought being different was what made it fun. They both needed a little of what the other had. He offered to cut class tomorrow to explore their differences, but she hated missing class. But she had hall monitoring tomorrow and slipped him a hall pass that he could return to her in the broom closet during the second period. He walked away suave and she imitated his signature comb move. He showed off the hall pass to the T-Birds who cheered.

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In "You Can't Just Walk Out of a Drive-In", Rydell High School watched a video about what to do when an atomic bomb hits. The T-Birds were excited to light up the sky with the fireworks hidden in Richie's jacket. Olivia scolded them against pranks at the drive-in as she wanted to watch the movie. Gil asked her to watch it next to him. She pushed him back to his seat and agreed. She told Nancy that Gil would give them a ride, so Potato eagerly joined in.

That night at the drive-in, Cynthia asked Shy Guy about his new bike, while Gil tried to put his arm around Olivia's shoulders. He was interrupted by Nancy who wanted to see the screen. Potato was excited to see the film too and correctly predicted the plot twists. Everyone turned up their radio when Johnny Vavoom gave dedications. A secret admirer gave Nancy a dedication that called her special which shocked Gil, Olivia, and Potato. Potato offered to help her figure it out - he had the goods and suspects to start. Richie and Jane made out in his car and he started to take off his jacket to give it to her just as an evil laugh came from the screen. It was Dot and another student advertising a party on Sparrow Lane to show why it would be “Insane to Vote for Jane”. The Pink Ladies hurried over and came up with a plan to crash the Socs party. Cynthia and Shy Guy followed Richie on their bikes, though he was behind because his bike wouldn't start.

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Gil drove Olivia, Cynthia, and Potato down Sparrow Lane where they saw how much Buddy's dad built. Olivia saw the one that Mr. Daniels had bought - just before they pulled up to the party. The T-Birds showed off their stock to the Pink Ladies, which included eggs, toilet paper, and a water line through the window, and with enough time, could disassemble Buddy's car and reassemble it on the roof. Jane thought they could get into the party and figure it out from there. Nancy held up the costumes she made as they would serve as disguises for each of them. Richie and the guys wanted to sneak around back, but Jane suggested they stay outside to drive the getaway cars. Potato managed to make a disguise so he joined Nancy indoors.

Richie and Gil lazily egged and TP a car. Richie wanted to egg the school, TP McGee's and set off fireworks at Nicholson's. Gil wanted to do McGee's last for traffic. Shy Guy came over with empty egg cartons and TP rolls. Richie was annoyed as the T-Birds were supposed to be Kings on Halloween, but they missed the girls. Gil took off his jacket and decided to go in. He stole a mask to do just that while Richie snuck around back. Richie saw Jane and Buddy sit together on the basement steps. He straightened his jacket and strutted out to Shy Guy and Gil, who were drinking from the liquor Gil stole. Richie planned to end the party just like Jane wanted. They got out the fireworks and he struck his lighter.

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When the fireworks went off, everyone screamed and took cover while the T-Birds stared up at the flashes of color. Jane emerged from the house, scared, and saw Richie through the sparks. One of the sparks caught a girl's costume on fire and everyone flanked to stomp out the sparks. Susan shouted that this was what they wanted to warn everyone about - that Jane would burn the whole town down. Richie and Jane got into a fight and broke up, so he left with the rest of the gang.

In "Sloppy Seconds Ain't My Style", the Pink Ladies walked in the parking lot of Rydell High School. Jane turned to see the T-Birds get into their car noisily. Olivia was surprised Richie showed up as he'd been in a state since Halloween. Jane asked if he was okay, and Olivia admitted he wasn't, but wasn't going to get in the middle. Richie lowered his sunglasses to look at the girls, and Jane looked over her shoulder at him as Olivia walked away.

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In "Cruisin' for Bruisin'", Gil filled his car with oil while Potato and Shy Guy watched. They turned their sights on a drowsy Richie, who claimed he spent his nights with the girls from St. Bernadette's. He saw Jane and Olivia across the lot and announced their plan to skip school and head to Volcano Island, a desert casino. While Potato was thrilled about “thrills, chills, and dollar bills”, reality set in, and the boys claimed they had responsibilities. Richie took in the “sorry sight” of the boys in front of him. He egged them on until they agreed to go. They mused over the girls they'd find and Richie watched Jane as the car sped off.

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The T-Birds drove through the desert as Potato shared his stash of Twinkies, though Shy Guy turned him down as he had to make weight. Richie teased Gil about his slow driving and being slow with girls, but Gil insisted he was doing fine and had his eye on a dime. He quickly covered up his interest as being someone Richie didn't know. He dropped his hands from the wheel so Shy Guy took over. He grilled Richie about how things stalled with Jane, which earned teases from the boys. Richie claimed he cut his losses. Shy Guy worried they couldn't get into the casino, but Richie told them not to worry. He passed around a reefer to help calm their nerves. They skidded into a parking space and put on their jackets. They burst through the doors of the casino as they sang “High Rollin'. They danced with the waitresses, imagined the slot machines came to life and partied. Their song ended when they learned their car was towed.

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They rushed to the junkyard only to learn it was $20 to get the car out. Richie tried to talk him into letting it slide, then threatened to turn Shy Guy on him, but the guy was in prison and wasn't fazed. Gil was frustrated so Richie decided they'd earn it back at the casino. They rallied their change, but Potato only had his lucky dollar that saved his father's life in the war. The boys wouldn't let him bet that. Gil remembered the woman who tipped him $5 earlier, which earned cheers.

The T-Birds headed to a gambling spot where Shy Guy nudged Potato about their competitors, whom they called an older version of themselves. Gil put their money on black as it was the official T-Birds color, and they won. They decided to split up to increase their chances. Potato won at the slots while Gil faced his “older version” at craps, whose advice on making money was true. They had a side bet of $5 while Shy Guy and his older self played the opposite side. Gil lost his side bet while Richie downed his drink, flirted with a waitress, and played craps.

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The T-Birds finished gambling and sat for food. They made $35 which made Gil happy, as he could get the car back and bring some home to ma. Shy Guy enjoyed a burger while Richie encouraged Gil to make a move on a fellow patron. He only had eyes for one girl and Richie groaned over it being Olivia, which wasn't going to happen. He didn't want some creep all over his sister and thought he would understand since Gil had five sisters. He bet Gil wouldn't want him near any of his sisters either. He encouraged him to take advantage of the situation, but Potato panicked when he saw it was almost midnight. They wanted to leave and Richie mocked Shy Guy for caring about his “little school play”. He didn't care but promised Cynthia he'd do it, while Gil had to open the deli at five. Richie didn't want to stop, so he ordered more drinks. He snatched the chips and danced with a waitress as the boys pondered what to do. Gil knew there was no fighting him, as Richie had to get it out of his system.

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Richie ordered more drinks from the waitress who wanted a tip, so he told her to meet him in the bathroom. The rest of the boys divided up the chips but Richie stole it, as he felt lucky. They went to the craps table where their “older selves” egged Richie into betting more, even though Gil warned against the fleecer and Potato wanted to quit while they were ahead. Richie bet all of the money and lost. Gil angrily told him they were screwed and Shy Guy knew they couldn't beg. Richie decided to fight instead and told their “older selves” to meet them in the parking garage for a winner takes all fight.

Once there, Gil and Potato tried to talk Richie out of the fight as the guys would kill him, but Richie wasn't an idiot and wouldn't fight. He pulled Shy Guy into a fight but he refused to fight for him, so the other party walked away. Richie accused him of leaving them hanging, but Shy Guy lashed out that Richie was the one who lost their money. Richie tried to bribe the men to come back with Potato's lucky dollar bill, which Gil refused to let him use. Shy Guy told him he was acting like an asshole and Richie insulted him back. Angered, Gil sucker punched him, which started Richie's anger-fueled rock song where he egged on the T-Birds to fight him. He also worked out his anger issues and resentment against society. The song tipped to depression when he fell over a ledge. He crawled off the car and sat on the ground, which is when he "got it out of his system" according to Gil.

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The T-Birds sat on a ledge as Richie iced his face with ice Shy Guy stole from the seafood tower. Richie apologized to Shy Guy for trying to make him fight, as he just assumed Shy Guy would because he was a boxer. He hated fighting and only did it for his dad, which made his voice crack. He decided to quit as it wasn't what he wanted. His emotional state made Potato admit he wished his dad wanted anything, but he came back differently after the war. Gil thought they were lucky to have dads, as he's been the man of the house since he was eight and is exhausted. Richie broke down as he thought he was in love. But he screwed it all up. The boys blamed the desert air for their cracked voices, allergies for their noses, hay fever, and onions for the tears. Gil saw Richie's sobs and remarked on his “dusty jacket”. He brushed it off with reassuring strokes, and Shy Guy joined in. Potato stood behind him to dust off the back and pat his shoulders. They rested together until they broke apart as the dust was gone. Richie apologized as he dragged them all there but promised to find a way out of the mess. Potato realized they still had his lucky dollar bill left.

Potato and Richie approached the older version of Shy Guy at the casino. They bet one dollar that Potato could tickle his nipple and make him giggle like Shirley Temple. The man took the bet but Potato failed and lost his dollar. Gil and Shy Guy cheered from the bar, as they had bet the guy's friend $21 that he would let them tickle his nipple. Potato swapped out his lucky dollar for the one they'd won from his friend. The gang gleefully leaped out of the casino and ran to the junkyard.

They waved the twenty dollars at the owner, though the fee was upped to twenty-five. Gil stepped forward, but Richie stopped him to tell the guy the truth. They were four kids trying to get home and needed a break. The guy didn't care about the plays or their feelings. He taunted Richie with the keys, so Shy Guy sucker-punched him. They snatched the keys, hopped into the car, and sped through the gate.

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Shy Guy fretted over Gil's shoulder about not making it to the play. Richie offered to run lines with him but Potato took the booklet from him. Richie thanked Gil for always driving them around. If Gil wants to ask Olivia out, he should do it. The boy swerved the car out of shock and asked if he was being messed with. Richie assured him he wasn't, as Gil was a good guy. He should date Olivia instead of some jerk-off whose ass Richie would have to kick later. He thinks Olivia kind of likes him, and Gil wondered if she said something. She hadn't, but she was mean to Gil, which is how he knew.

Once back at Rydell High, Buddy knocked on the door of the apothecary who didn't answer. Mr. Vaugahn prepared to take the role of apothecary just as Shy Guy raced to the stage. He yanked open the door and wheezed over for a moment before he delivered his line. The T-Birds erupted into cheers and claps for their boy.

Members[]

1954-1955 school year[]

Current:

Former:

1958-1959 school year[]

1961-1962 school year[]

The Car[]

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The T-Birds signature car is a Ford Thunderbird from the 1950s. In 1954, founding member Gil owns a black thunderbird with a white T-Birds emblem on the hood. The license plate reads 2PCS 049. When the gang goes on outings, the first guy to pick up a girl gets the keys to the car, which is a feat Richie usually accomplishes. Richie's sister Olivia also drives the car when needed, storing the guys in the trunk or backseat to avoid suspicions. The keys are kept under the rim of the front tire.

Main article: Greased Lighting (car)
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However, by 1958, the original T-Birds car is gone. Kenickie buys a white Thunderbird beater as means of transportation, though its falling apart and frequently stalls. Danny names it Greased Lightning and the gang paints silver lightning bolts on the sides. Kenickie plans to race it against their rival gang the Scorpions, led by Leo Balmudo. Before the race can begin, Kenickie is knocked out by the careless actions of Putzie, so Danny takes over as the driver. Leo uses a saw he built into his car to tear up the side of Greased Lightning, but Danny still manages to win when Leo crashes. Danny and his girlfriend Sandy later reunite and drive away from the school in the car, which takes flight as they wave goodbye to their friends.

Notes and Trivia[]

  • The name is likely a result of the guys' shared love of the luxury sports car, the Ford Thunderbird (Often referred to as the T-Bird), which was a prominent, and well known car in the 1950s.
  • Having a warm glove-box beer in the T-Birds car is the initiation into the gang.[1]

Gallery[]

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