In 1978, Tipton began to incorporate tapping into his playing, which Downing began to use as well. By 1990, both guitarists used the complex technique of sweep-picking, which is noticeable on the title track of their 1990 album Painkiller. Downing officially left Judas Priest in April of 2011. In 2012, Downing was approached by Cleopatra Records to play on the album Who Are You? An All-Star Tribute to The Who, a tribute album to the band The Who. Downing accepted and performed guitar on the opening track Eminence Front along with musicians John Wetton and Derek Sherinian. The album was released in October 2012. In December 2013, it was announced that K.K. Downing would team up with property development financier Regentsmead and golfer Darren Clarke to build luxury residential developments on Downing’s Astbury estate.