Good point Danny - styles don't last forever.
HOWEVER .....
(didn't cha know there would be a catch???? )
I play mostly "Classic" and "Standard" tunes that will never need a new style, because they are burned into peoples' memory the way they were recorded. With mostly million sellars in my repertoire - my styles (drum patterns) only really need to cover the basics. I can embellish the rest with my own thoughts. A few years ago, while I was still using dedicated drum machines, I discovered that I could play most nights with only 10 patterns or so. I'd rather have more variation than that, but hey - a Cha Cha is a Cha Cha, is a Cha Cha. Dancers don't want experimentation - they want "foundation".
Early Roland E series users will remember the "Easy 8" card for the E-20,RA-50 line - that was essential to a dance party. Almost all the basics were covered with those 8 simple beats....
1)8beat (rock and ballads)
2)16beat(same, but with a busy feel)
3)Disco (nuff said - great for Motown too)
4)Shuffle (can't jitterbug without it!)
5)Swing (for the jazz fans - finger poppin!)
6)Latin(simple Bossa pattern - classic)
7)Waltz (3/4 is used in EVERY genre)
8)2beat(Polka's,Bluegrass, Marches

I can't remember if the classic R&B 12/8 pattern was in there or not. I couldn't do a night without it, that's for sure - all those 50's ballads, and love songs....aah!