Singer fined for bringing son on stage to sing under German child labour laws

Singer Angelo Kelly has been fined for bringing his son on stage to sing under child labour laws.

Hassfurt administrative court in Bavaria slapped a €3,000 (£2,600) on folk singer Angelo Kelly after his four-year-old son performed on stage with him at a summer concert in 2019.

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The German dpa news agency reported that the court deemed it to go against Germany's Youth Labour Protection Act as as it wasn't officially approved by authorities as per the regulations and Angelo's kid, William, was on stage until 8.20pm, when the Act states children can be in musical performances if it's between 8am and 5pm.

According to dpa, the court said: "During this performance, the child William stood for at least 30 minutes on the stage where he played along, sang along and interpreted his own song."

"This is is considered work by the Youth Labour Protection Act."

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Angelo was understandably fuming at the ruling, saying: "As a father, the well-being of my children is the most important thing for me. William was and is never obliged to appear with us at our shows. If he did it, it was because he wanted to."

Angelo's lawyer Julian Ackermann was also unhappy at the decision. He said a "brief appearance on the stage in the presence of one's mother and siblings at a concert given by one's own father" to be ruled as child labour was unjust.

Ironically, Angelo's son was singing 'What A Wonderful World'. Not according to German authorities...

Dave Turner is Mixmag's Commercial Content Editor, follow him on Twitter